This work seeks to develop the scientific knowledge by which conventional organic polymers can be replaced with their inorganic counterparts. It is aimed to synthesize silicate-based inorganic polymers directly from minerals, such as silica, which are readily available in nature (e.g., sands and rocks). Inorganic polymers decrease the dependence on crude oil and promise chemically more stable compounds than organic polymers. Having silicate as the backbone, the need for recycling is eliminated and the new materials are likely to be non-flammable and non-toxic. Specifically, we are developing a new class of polymers in which the backbone is comprised of ionic (primary) and secondary bonds. The high processing temperature of silica is first decreased via addition of metal ions (from a modifier, such as strontium oxide, rubidium oxide, calcium oxide, or potassium oxide) that serve to reduce the interchain bond strength, hence lowering the glass transition temperature (Tg); and providing additional free volume for the subsequent insertion of new moieties (i.e., ionic liquid). During this process, highly crosslinked structure can be converted to one-dimensional and two-dimensional structures commonly seen for organic polymers. Subsequently, addition of ionic liquid allows “plasticization” of silicate glass, and results in further reduction in bond strength and Tg; materials behave as polymers. Results show that Tg of modified silicate glass can be decreased from 410 C to 155 C by addition of ionic liquid; i.e., by plasticization with ionic liquid. The properties and reaction mechanism of synthesized inorganic polymers are investigated by various characterization methods, such as DSC, FTIR, XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM, in addition to mechanical testing.
Subject (authority = RUETD)
Topic
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Subject (authority = ETD-LCSH)
Topic
Inorganic polymers
RelatedItem (type = host)
TitleInfo
Title
Rutgers University Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifier (type = RULIB)
ETD
Identifier
ETD_9194
PhysicalDescription
Form (authority = gmd)
electronic resource
InternetMediaType
application/pdf
InternetMediaType
text/xml
Extent
1 online resource (102 pages) : illustrations
Note (type = degree)
Ph.D.
Note (type = bibliography)
Includes bibliographical references
Note (type = statement of responsibility)
by Monika Kazancioglu
RelatedItem (type = host)
TitleInfo
Title
School of Graduate Studies Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifier (type = local)
rucore10001600001
Location
PhysicalLocation (authority = marcorg); (displayLabel = Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey)
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